Lesson 76: That I May Know Him- Part 5

INTRODUCTION: In the series on Philippians 3:1-14 we have examined topics like “the resurrection of the dead, Christian perfections e.t.c. Now we continue our in-depth study in an attempt to know Him more. Please remember that you must not be hearers only but the doers of the things you have learnt and are learning particularly in this series. Do not forget to share these important truths with others. They need to know Christ more, you know.

1) JESUS ALWAYS REVEALS HIMSELF TO ANY PERSISTENT SEEKER:
a) Jesus is the Wisdom of God, a Mystery or a hidden wisdom and it is only those who seek Him diligently and persistently who can find Him out. A fuller knowledge of Christ is only possible by persistently following after the Lord. However, a stage of seeking is reached when the sought, even Jesus Christ, reveals Himself plainly – Hosea 6:3, John 8:31-32, I Corinthians 2:7, John 16:25, Psalms 18:28, Psalms 119:130, Isaiah 29:18.
b) THERE IS A SPECIAL BLESSING FOR THOSE WHO SEEK GOD: THEY FIND HIM: It is a student who whole-heartedly observes the ways of the teacher who will become like the teacher. Those who whole-heartedly seek to know the Master always become like the Master. That is why God pronounced a special blessing on those who seek Him whole-heartedly. This special blessing consists in the fact that they shall find Him, the source of all joy, wealth, peace, glory and success, Proverbs 23:26, Psalms 119:2, Jeremiah 29:13, 2 Peter 2:

2) TO SUFFER FOR CHRIST IS A SPECIAL PRIVILEDGE RESERVED ONLY FOR TRUE SONS OF GOD:
a) Suffering for Christ is a special priviledge. Only worthy children of God, true heirs of the Almighty are called upon to taste it. Consequently, those who suffer for Christ’s sake should have this consolation that they are actually the privilege ones. In any case the disciple cannot be greater than His Lord. Also, we must constantly remember that whatever Christ suffered, He suffered it for us that we might be blessed eternally, Acts 5:41, Romans 8:17, II Corinthians 1:5-7, Isaiah 50:6, II Corinthians 8:9.
b) EVERY SAINT THINKS HE IS PERFEXT UNTILL HE ENCOUNTERS THE LORD: It is natural for a man to think that he is always right even when God considers him as fool. Infact nobody ever admits his filthiness until He encounters the Lord. Proverbs 12:15, proverbs 20:9, Prove3rbs 16:2, Proverbs 30:12, Rev. 1:12-17.

3) THE RACE TO HEAVEN IS A FIGHT TO FINISH: ONLY THE FITTEST WILL SURVIVE: Paul compared the Christian race to a fight; a fight against terrible odds of Satan, his agents and allies like the flesh, the world with its deceitful attractions. He also warns us to be constantly aware of the sobering fact that not all who run in a race will win. It is a terrible thing to have run in vain. Yet only the absolutely perfect will win the chritians race. Therefore, brethren, gird up the loins of your mind and soberly, resolutely, perseveringly, perseveringly press forward toward the goal for the end is nearer than you think, II Tim. 4:7, I Corinthians 9:24, Galatians 2:2, II Tim.4:8, I Cor. 9:25, Luke 13:24, Heb.12:1, I Pet.1:13, Rev. 3:11